Why do I feel that every year at this time it's open season on Christmas?

Holiday this, holiday that. Season's Greetings!

No mention of Christmas.

The politically-correct secularists treat the word as if somehow it should be hidden away.

In Ste. Anne de Bellevue this week the mayor had the brilliant idea to remove the nativity scene from in front of the library, a nativity scene that had been there for 40 years.

She was worried about offending others.

Not such a bright idea and the people of Ste. Anne's let her know that pretty fast.

Decision overturned.

At least the mayor admitted she had screwed up, but what happened in Ste. Anne's is just a symptom of a bigger problem.

This is not about the separation of church and state or any Charter of Values hooey.

No one is forcing anyone to celebrate Christmas, but Christmas is a part of our heritage.

I have never run into anyone of other faiths who actually is bothered by the Christmas tradition. In fact, I am sure they embrace the message of good will and peace on Earth.

Who can argue with that?

I love seeing the lights of Hanukkah and the more the merrier.

Anytime they chip away at Christmas by replacing the word by holiday or winter or festive or whatever it diminishes us.

Because what's next? A sterile world where we are so afraid of offending people? Franchement.

Council should focus on city business

Municipal councils should take care of local things like picking up the garbage.

They have no business getting involved in telling people what to eat or drink.

Montreal Councillor Marvin Rotrand wants council to pass a motion to tax so-called sugary drinks.

I’m sick of people trying to tell us what’s good for us and what we should be doing.

This is just another example of nanny state interference in our lives.

Frankly, Montreal Council has other things to worry about. Let's start with clearing the snow.

The Exodus continues

A report came out this week on something everybody suspected.

There was a mini exodus from Quebec in 2013. More people left than in any other year since 1998.

I really don't believe in coincidence.

Let's see, besides the high taxes and the usual stuff like crumbling infrastructure, there was the threat of new language legislation.

Remember Bill 14 and its new assault on linguistic rights?

There was that nasty Charter of Values, high unemployment and the constant attack on everything Canadian.

And who was in power? Who acted as the travel agent for the thousands who left?

‘Nuff said.

Remembering a legend

What a week it was with the celebration of the life of Jean Beliveau and it was done in such style.

The Montreal Canadiens do pomp and circumstance and ceremony better than anybody.

We may never see an outpouring of love and respect like that again in our lifetime.

Let's face it, Mr. Beliveau was the last of the real titans from either the sports or political worlds. He was the last from a different time when giants walked among us.

Let's not rush into any decision on renaming anything for Mr. Beliveau and let's make sure it befits his greatness and does not erase our history.

The last thing we want is for anything to be controversial.

Mr. Beliveau deserves that.

Let's take our time and think about it and do the right thing to properly honour the wonderful legacy of number 4.